Aa
Herpes?
Hi
I've had sex with a number of sex workers over the last five years, and I've always had protected vaginal sex, and never anal sex, but numerous times I've had unprotected oral sex. I've never had an outbreak of herpes or felt any of the symptoms, and I've never noticed any of the sex workers having symptoms, but recently (today) I noticed I have a small red bump about midway down my penis. It doesn't hurt, and I have no other symptoms, but I'm worried. My last encounter was 8 days ago, and I've been seeing the same sex worker about once a month for the last 7-8 months. The last encounter, we did not have any vaginal or anal sex, just unprotected oral sex
Should I be worried?
I've had sex with a number of sex workers over the last five years, and I've always had protected vaginal sex, and never anal sex, but numerous times I've had unprotected oral sex. I've never had an outbreak of herpes or felt any of the symptoms, and I've never noticed any of the sex workers having symptoms, but recently (today) I noticed I have a small red bump about midway down my penis. It doesn't hurt, and I have no other symptoms, but I'm worried. My last encounter was 8 days ago, and I've been seeing the same sex worker about once a month for the last 7-8 months. The last encounter, we did not have any vaginal or anal sex, just unprotected oral sex
Should I be worried?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Not necessarily. The first infection can be entirely asymptomatic, with the first known symptoms being mild like you describe. Still, a simple red bump -- which did not start as a blister and does not become one -- is unlikely to be herpes. But beyond that speculation, the only way to know is to be professionally evaluated.
Hi Doc
Thanks for the prompt response
One follow-up question, since I've read/heard that of the people who do show symptoms of herpes, the first outbreak is usually the worst, and if you are correct in saying this may be a recurrent outbreak, wouldn't I have displayed even more obvious symptoms before?
Thanks for the prompt response
One follow-up question, since I've read/heard that of the people who do show symptoms of herpes, the first outbreak is usually the worst, and if you are correct in saying this may be a recurrent outbreak, wouldn't I have displayed even more obvious symptoms before?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
With a single "red bump", which presumably is not painful since you don't say so, I doubt this is herpes. If more bumps appear, if they evolve into blisters and then into open sores, I would be more concerned. In the event it actually is herpes, it is most likely a recurrent outbreak -- i.e. that you have been infected for some time; it is unlikely this is a new infection from the most recent encounter.
If the lesion persists, if other bumps/blisters appear, or if the same thing happens again someday, see a health professional for evaluation. Your local health department STD clinic would be an excellent choice for highly expert, confidential evaluation. If direct exam suggests herpes, you could have an HSV blood test to know with more certainty. But in the meantime, herpes doesn't seem likely.
Regards-- HHH, MD
With a single "red bump", which presumably is not painful since you don't say so, I doubt this is herpes. If more bumps appear, if they evolve into blisters and then into open sores, I would be more concerned. In the event it actually is herpes, it is most likely a recurrent outbreak -- i.e. that you have been infected for some time; it is unlikely this is a new infection from the most recent encounter.
If the lesion persists, if other bumps/blisters appear, or if the same thing happens again someday, see a health professional for evaluation. Your local health department STD clinic would be an excellent choice for highly expert, confidential evaluation. If direct exam suggests herpes, you could have an HSV blood test to know with more certainty. But in the meantime, herpes doesn't seem likely.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
